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Skyborn Renewables and the German transmission system operator (TSO) 50Hertz, which is leading the development of the grid connection (OST-6-1) for the 976.5 MW Gennaker offshore wind farm, have signed an agreement that clears the way for the commissioning of the entire system by mid‑2028.
The contract governs the legally compliant cooperation for the construction and operation of the two offshore substations required for the Gennaker offshore wind farm, OSS Darß and OSS Zingst.
“The agreement resolves legal and regulatory uncertainties and sets a pioneering precedent for grid connection of an offshore wind farm located in territorial waters”, 50Hertz said on 27 January.
The Gennaker offshore wind farm will be built in German territorial waters, within the 12-nautical-mile zone, off the coast of the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula, and is the first offshore wind farm to be connected under the “territorial waters regulation”, with operators being entitled to a grid connection once approval has been granted under the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG).
The agreement between 50Hertz and Skyborn for the two offshore platforms with a combined grid connection capacity of up to 927 MW, jointly used as part of both the wind farm and the grid connection system, defines key aspects such as collaboration, responsibilities, liability, payment terms, design, construction, installation, commissioning, and decommissioning, as well as fundamental principles for operation and maintenance (O&M).
Gennaker’s offshore substations are being delivered by a consortium comprising HSM Offshore Energy, Smulders, and Iv, with Allseas responsible for the transportation and installation of the two substations. The OSS Darß and OSS Zingst platforms are currently under construction in the Netherlands.